Angels Rest
Moderate
4.6 miles round trip
1500 feet elevation gain
Open all year
Angels Rest juts like a balcony above the western Columbia Gorge. The trail to this rocky bluff was overswept by a 1991 wildfire, so it traverses an interesting mosaic of forest types. Most of the woods were untouched, while in many areas only the underbrush burned, clearing the forest floor for wildflowers. On a few ridges the trees themselves burned, opening new viewpoints. The changes demonstrate the natural role of fire in Douglas fir forests.
While the viewpoint at Angels Rest makes an excellent goal by itself, it’s also tempting to extend the hike by exploring the adjacent plateau. One option is to visit a creekside picnic site by adding an easy 2.4-mile loop. Or better yet, arrange a short car shuttle and continue to beautiful Wahkeena Falls for a 6.4-mile, moderate one-way hike.
From Portland, drive . . .
The Angels Rest Trail starts at . . .
Other Options
If you’d like to continue on . . .
This chapter taken from the book 100 Hikes: Northwest Oregon